12 Things to Do in Budapest in September

September is a less busy month than the summer months. However, it is also a month when the Western festive atmosphere is replaced by a more Hungarian cultural one, with events related to local cuisine and traditions.

St. Stephen's Basilica is one of the most impressive neoclassical buildings in Budapest; however, its charm is multiplied because in certain months such as September a series of concerts are held. The great architecture of the Basilica makes it the perfect place to enjoy classical music.

The ticket for organ concerts in St. Stephen's Basilica costs from 28 euros.

Regarding how to get there, the best option is to get on the blue metro line 3 and getting off at the station Arány János.

There is no better way to say goodbye to summer than enjoying a dinner cruise. In this month of the year the cruises offer a multi-course dinner that can include various dishes typical of this time of the year, all cooked by a chef of the traditional cuisine!

• Túrógombóc (crumb balls or breadcrumbs made with cottage cheese).
• Halászlé (soup of different types of fish with paprika, onion, tomato and peppers).
• The famous lángos, which are only plentiful in the summer months.

In addition, going on a night cruise on the Danube is a clear opportunity to be captivated by the spectacular night views of Budapest's cultural heritage. From a river tour like this one, you see Budapest from a different perspective: the illuminated bridges, the Parliament, the Buda Castle and the Citadel offer breathtaking views at night.

An ideal plan for the month of September, when the weather is still good, is to book an excursion to Lake Balaton and Herend. In a full day, of approximately 9 hours of duration, in which you will escape from the bustle of the Hungarian capital, you will enter in the local tradition knowing all the details of the manufacture of the traditional Hungarian porcelain.

In addition, you will visit the Tihany Abbey and get to know the area on the lake. All this with an expert local guide who will accompany you throughout the day.

And, of course, you will also have free time to discover the gastronomy of the area at your leisure.

Of course, another essential plan for your trip to Budapest in September is to book your ticket for the Széchenyi Spa, where you can enjoy a relaxing day in one of the most popular spas in Europe.

The spa has 15 indoor pools and 3 outdoor pools, plus saunas, steam rooms and massage jets.

A unique proposal that will allow you to delve into the local tradition and enjoy a guided tour of the Palinka Museum, which includes an interactive exhibition to delve into this Hungarian national drink that you will have the chance to taste.

The Budapest Jewish Summer Festival is a multicultural event celebrated by the Hungarian Jewish community. The event lasts 10 days and is an amazing opportunity to learn about Jewish traditions and culture through book markets, Hungarian gastronomy tours, fine arts and film exhibitions.

In addition, it is an excellent opportunity for a tour of Budapest's Jewish Quarter, as all the micro-events take place here, and of course to book a guided tour of the Budapest Synagogue.

The main venue of the Budapest Jewish Summer Festival will remain the Dohány Street Synagogue. Check the Jewish Festival website for information on programs, dates, times and prices.

The National Gallop is one of the biggest festivals in Hungary and is related to Hungarian horsemanship, hussar traditions and everything connected with it. More than 100 Hungarian towns and cities participate every year in this two-day event in mid-September. During the festival, Heroes' Square is transformed into a 6,200 square meter race track, where young horsemen, modern hussars (soldiers belonging to an ancient cavalry corps) from all over the country compete for the prize money of just over 80,000 € (30 million HUF).

In addition to the horse races, the entire length of Andrassy Avenue becomes a promenade where you can find hundreds of stalls with people from all over the country selling traditional and handcrafted goods. You'll find blacksmiths pounding horseshoes or costumed women embroidering traditional Hungarian floral designs, as well as stalls selling traditional cuisine, handicrafts and folk music.

As a parallel option, you can opt for a bike tour around the square and surroundings, there is plenty to see, a perfect way to get closer to Hungarian history, traditions and culture.

Every Sunday in September from 10 am to 7 pm you can enjoy a street and art market at the Gozsdu udvar (VI District. Király utca 13).

Gouba is a Sunday street market where you can find interesting art items, creative paintings, handicraft items, books and antiques. This is the place where every Sunday young Hungarian musicians, ceramists, painters, jewelers and artists in general exhibit their own creations.

The bazaar takes place in Gozsdu Udvar, a beautifully renovated courtyard in Király utca (Budapest's Jewish quarter). If you are looking for something fun to do on Sundays, the Gouba Bazaar is the place to be. It's also very close to the Ruin Bars area, in case you feel like stopping by after enjoying this artistic space.

Sweet Days Chocolate is a closed-door chocolate and candy festival where you can find special handmade chocolates, traditional sweets and world-famous brands.

In addition, you will have the opportunity to taste Hungarian chocolates, candies and ice cream, you can participate in workshops and professional courses that introduce the basics of making handmade chocolates and truffles. There will be programs for children and families, as well as live music. The festival takes place in Szent István Square in mid-September and lasts a whole weekend (Friday from 11-22h, Saturday from 10-22h. and Sunday from 10-20h.).

This festival features the most popular and representative Hungarian chocolate makers and confectioneries such as Gundel, Ruszwurm, Szamos, Harrer Chocolat, Rózsavölgyi Csokoládé, Tibor Szántó, Zangio Kézműves Csokoládé, Cadeau Bonbon and Krisztina S.Nemzetes.

Főzdefeszt is your chance to have a craft beer and street food picnic to kick off the fall season in Budapest's most beautiful park, City Park AND also your last chance to see the park in its original condition before it goes through a major change! Becoming one of the biggest ice rinks in Europe. If you are interested in the ice rink I recommend you to visit Budapest in December or, even better, in January.

The event lasts 3 days in the City Park (Városliget) in the middle of the month and there is no entrance fee, but you have to buy the festival glass for the beer tasting. The approximate opening hours are: Friday from 14-2 h., Saturday from 12-2 h. and Sunday from 12-24 h. For more information visit the official website of the event.

The Budapest International Wine Festival takes place in the second week of September and is one of the most popular events of its kind. Here you can taste the best of Hungarian and foreign wines, meet their creators, enjoy a traditional Hungarian dish and learn the art of wine tasting.

The event takes place on the terraces of the Buda Castle. In addition, you will be greeted with live music.

The price is approximately 8.5 euros per person. Check the Wine Festival website for more detailed programs.

At the end of September, the Coffee Day Festival is celebrated in many countries, with cafes and stores offering promotions, special tastings, exciting coffee drinks all over Europe, and Hungary is no exception.

For a whole day Elizabeth Square will smell of coffee as the Aquarium Club organizes the full-day program. Various baristas, also Hungarian, will present their products and samples for the public. Not only do you have unlimited coffee to taste, but you can also attend lectures and workshops. There will also be coffee marketing, coffee sales, lectures and jazz music (the best to accompany coffee).

If you want to learn more about the world of coffee, taste an unlimited amount of coffee, see lectures, bar shows this is the right event. For more information about tickets and schedules visit the following website.

If the Budapest Wine Festival is not enough, you can enjoy the annual Champagne festival known as Budafok Champagne held in the Budafok district of the city in the second week of September.

The event hosts numerous wineries, free tours, concerts and other festivities related to the consumption of this drink. No entrance fee is required to attend, nor to listen to music and enjoy the atmosphere.

However, as with the wine festival, in order to drink champagne you must purchase a festival glass on site. Do not hesitate to consult more details on the official website.

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Budapest in September has a perfect weather to go out thanks to an average of 21 ° C, although this is reduced to 19 ° C at the end of the month.

Each day has 12 hours of daylight, which makes September the 4th sunniest month in Budapest. In terms of sensations it is a month with a more summer than autumn character, especially during the first two weeks.

September's spectacular weather coupled with the lower tourist crowds make this month a favorite for longer accommodation stays.

In this month there is something for every traveler and budget. Here are some of the best accommodations divided into three categories:

• Luxury: Ritz Carlton Budapest, Aria Hotel Budapest, Four Seasons Budapest.
• Mid-range: Hotel Moments Budapest, Hotel Mika Superior, Hilton Budapest.
• Cheap Accommodation: Marco Polo Top Hostel, Bohem Art Hotel, D8 Hotel.

Given the comfortable weather Budapest experiences in September, you don't have to worry about packing too much winter clothing. A light jacket and a scarf should be more than enough, and only to protect you from the night wind.

For the days when the sun comes out, light cotton clothing, sunglasses, sunscreen and a hat will be ideal. Since September is a month that allows for outdoor explorations, bring a pair of good walking shoes.

Also, don't forget that it's a month with a lot of nightlife to do in Budapest, so some fancy clothes wouldn't hurt.